My Life. Medication Optional.

Since my job cut my hours by about 33%, I've decided to explore some other options. ONe of the options I've already been using is producing content for Demand Studios.  I know, I know, it's considered a content mill. Big-time freelancers don't take a second look at sites like that. However, I'm still finding my voice and my niche when it comes to putting words to paper, so I'm willing to write what someone else wants. For a while. I like Demand Studios because A) they pay consistently (2x a week through Paypal) B) I can always find something to write about and C) I like the experience of writing and being edited. The best way to become a better writer is to write. So I am.

The other idea I'm exploring is going back to school. I have a BA in Psychology Counseling. To do the work I want to do (Substance abuse counseling), I'd really need a Master's.I live 4 hours from the nearest college/university that offers a Master's program, so I'm researching online programs. I'm so much less hesitant about going forward with Psychology as a career than I was just three years ago. I feel like I have more confidence and more control of myself emotionally and temperamentally.

All that said, I'm eager for school suggestions or freelance writing tips!

I know I don't post as much as I used to, but I've started writing for a place called Demand Studios, so that's taking up much of my writing time.  I've made $30 this week writing for them, so that's awesome. I didn't make much with eHow, but I made some cash, about $2-3 a month.  I like Demand Studios because I can just choose a title (I am bad at picking topics and at titling things) and they pay a flat fee, which is much more gratifying.  It's kind of annoying having to go throuhg a copy editor, but so far everything has been approved with just a rewrite and since I'm new, that's not a big deal. The copy editors have been professional so far and never brisk or rude. I hope to keep writing, not for any major cash or anything, just enough to buy a book or a online game or something once in a while.  If I make $50 a month, I can use my paypal to pay my water bill, and that would certainly make it worthwhile, no?

I do a little freelance writing here and there.  Last year I made $24 writing on the net.  Which is pretty much nothing, but it's more than I had when I started. 

I write for eHow, which is my favorite.  The articles are short and easy to do and I love the residual income.  I get paid smaller amounts in the long term, rather than upfront set amounts.  I also write for Constant Content, which is good too.  The articles are longer and more polished, but you set your own amount per article and they take a percentage for the site fee.  I need to write more for them, but since the articles are longer and more polished, they take longer. 

I also write for Pajiba, but I do that for free and for the awesome exposure. 

I started fooling around on the net years ago and what gave me the confidence to agree to write for Pajiba and to start a blog and write for pay is posting on sites.  I have a handful of sites I comment regularly on and it really improved my writing skills and gave me an idea of what people like to read.  The more people commented on what I read, the more I wanted to get people to comment.  I'm pretty proud of all my writing and commenting.

If you see me commenting as TWoP Fan, say hi.

The fab movie review website Pajiba(Scathing Reviews for Bitchy People) has asked me to do Big Love Recaps and I said yes!  I love Big Love (I'm pro-Nicki, pro-Adalene, want more Alby and Rhonda (not together!) and more focus on making the day to day family work).  It's a little scary, because I pretty much write for fun, so I'm not very polished. I tend to write the way I think and what I think.  The audience over there is terrifying (the tagline says it all) and I have a bit of a thin skin.  All that said, it is really an honor to me and I think it's time to step out of my comfy rut and try some new stuff. Bring it on, HBO!